Friday of the 3rd week of Lent
First reading Hosea 14:2-10
Lent is a journey of return—a sacred season that gently beckons us back into communion with God, where true life begins again. In Hosea’s powerful imagery, we are reminded that God does not respond to our disloyalty with condemnation, but with a love that seeks to restore and renew. “I will heal their disloyalty, I will love them with all my heart,” says the Lord, revealing a divine tenderness that surpasses our failures. When we turn our hearts toward Him, He comes to us like dew—quiet, constant, and life-giving—reviving the dryness within us. Our souls, once withered by sin, begin to bloom again like lilies, putting down deep roots in His grace, and stretching outward in beauty and purpose. Lent, then, is not merely a time of denial or sorrow; it is an invitation to rediscover the joy of living in God’s presence. It is a season to step out from under the weight of our own will and dwell again in His shade, where our lives bear fruit—where we grow, flourish, and take on the fragrance of holiness. The beauty of Lent lies in this truth: when we return to God, we are not just forgiven—we are transformed. Let’s reflect: Lent is understanding the beauty of living with God.
Don Giorgio